so which means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so which means" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the conclusion of a logical argument or chain of reasoning. For example: We need to find an efficient way to get to the meeting on time, so which means we should take a taxi instead of the bus.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It has not done so, which means there is no basis for the refusal of federal courts to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

Cornell University

And they can pick up voices up to 12 feet or so, which means you do not have to crowd around the TV to make calls.

The New York Times

Since the mid-term elections of November 2010, the Republican majority in the House of Representatives has blocked most of the Democrats' legislation, and will continue to do so, which means that the president's plans count for little.

The Economist

This is not a short-term problem, Yemen is finally falling apart, but it may take a long time doing so, which means that there will be a vacuum of power.

Independent

None of the play's many scenes last longer than five minutes or so, which means that painful secrets about the family history are disclosed and then dropped before the characters can emotionally engage on any serious level.

The New York Times

Windows 10 will not install until the user accepts a prompt to do so, which means that it will sit on the user's hard drive taking up space even if they have no intension of ever upgrading.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Under its previous strategy, Adobe revamped its packaged software every 18 months or so, which meant it was vulnerable to a sharp drop in revenue if customers shunned an update.

The Economist

Not so,  which meant there was something dense beneath the surface.

Los Angeles Times

Not so — which meant that there was something dense beneath the surface.

Los Angeles Times

I warned her it had been a while and she said you only have to come in every three years or so, which meant I was perfectly on schedule.

Vice

It was the failure to do so which meant museums like the Tate and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Pompidou Centre were much less rich in the 1960s and 1970s than they are now".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so which means" to clearly connect a cause or condition with its direct consequence, ensuring the relationship between the ideas is immediately apparent to the reader.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple connector phrases like "so which means" in a single sentence or paragraph, as this can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Opt for stronger verbs or more concise phrasing to establish connections between ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so which means" functions as a connector, linking a preceding statement with its logical consequence or implication. Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and usable connector, serving to introduce the result of a previously stated condition or cause.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so which means" functions as a connector indicating a direct consequence or logical deduction. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable phrase, though somewhat informal. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia contexts. While grammatically sound, consider using more concise alternatives like "therefore" or "consequently" in formal writing to enhance clarity and professionalism. Use it to clearly connect a cause with its effect, ensuring the relationship is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

therefore

A more formal and concise way to indicate a logical consequence.

consequently

Highlights that something is a direct result of a previous action or situation.

as a result

Emphasizes the outcome of a preceding event or condition.

that implies

Focuses on the logical deduction or suggestion derived from something.

this suggests

Indicates that something points towards a particular conclusion or idea.

it follows that

A more formal and logical way to introduce a conclusion.

which entails

Highlights that something necessarily involves or includes something else.

this indicates

Suggests that something serves as a sign or signal of something else.

this demonstrates

Implies that something proves or clearly shows something else.

in consequence

A formal phrase that emphasizes the result or effect of something.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "so which means" in a sentence?

Use "so which means" to introduce a direct consequence or logical conclusion derived from a preceding statement. For instance: "The deadline has passed, so which means we cannot accept late submissions."

What are some alternatives to "so which means"?

Consider using alternatives such as "therefore", "consequently", or "as a result" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is "so which means" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "so which means" may sound somewhat informal. In formal writing, opting for more concise and direct alternatives like "therefore" or "consequently" can enhance clarity and professionalism.

Can "so which means" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

It's generally better to avoid starting a sentence with "so which means". Restructuring the sentence to place the cause or condition first and then introduce the consequence with "so which means" will improve clarity and flow.